Aniruddhacharya Enters Swami Avimukteshwaranand Row, Urges Administration to Apologise

The controversy surrounding Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati at the ongoing Magh Mela in Prayagraj has further intensified, with noted spiritual preacher Swami Aniruddhacharya Maharaj now weighing in and advising the administration to seek forgiveness.

The dispute arose on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, when followers of Swami Avimukteshwaranand, who were proceeding towards the Sangam for the holy dip with a wheeled palanquin, were stopped by the authorities. This led to a prolonged standoff lasting nearly three hours, during which heated arguments and physical jostling reportedly took place.

Supporters of the Shankaracharya have accused the administration of misbehaviour. Since Mauni Amavasya, Swami Avimukteshwaranand has been sitting outside his camp and has refused to return, with reports suggesting that his health has deteriorated due to the cold.

“Administration Should Apologise”

Reacting to the incident, Swami Aniruddhacharya Maharaj said the administration should admit its mistake and apologise.
“The administration should go to the Shankaracharya and say, ‘Maharaj ji, we committed an error, we have wronged you, please forgive us.’ If an apology is offered, he will certainly forgive them. He is a saint, his heart is compassionate,” Aniruddhacharya said while speaking to mediapersons.

Citing an example from the Ramayana, he added that Lord Ram himself had said that even Ravana would have been forgiven had he sought refuge.

Swami Aniruddhacharya is currently delivering discourses at the camp of the Khak Chowk Vyavastha Samiti, headed by Jagadguru Santosh Das ‘Satua Baba’, at the Magh Mela. He made the remarks just before his discourse on the third day of the event.

Other Shankaracharyas React

Earlier, Dwarka Sharada Peeth Shankaracharya Swami Sadanand Saraswati had commented on the issue. Now, Puri Peethadhishwar Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Nischalanand Saraswati has also reacted to the controversy.

During an interaction at the Magh Mela camp on Thursday, Swami Nischalanand Saraswati termed the alleged mistreatment of saints on Mauni Amavasya as “completely wrong”, stating that assaulting sadhus or pulling the hair of brahmacharis is unacceptable.

He added that the sanctity and discipline of ritual bathing in the Sanatan tradition must be observed by everyone, whether a Shankaracharya or any other saint.

Referring to Swami Avimukteshwaranand, the Puri Peethadhishwar said, “He is dear to us. We were told that he once came up to the gate of our camp. Had he come inside, we would have spoken to him and explained matters.”

On questions regarding the legitimacy of Swami Avimukteshwaranand’s position as Shankaracharya, he said that two Shankaracharyas support him, adding that it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage.

The episode has added a fresh layer to the ongoing standoff between religious leaders and the administration, even as efforts continue to prevent the issue from escalating further during the Magh Mela.